ISLAMABAD: Law enforcement and intelligence agencies in the country have launched a large-scale investigation into the smuggling of high-dosage Tramadol tablets from Pakistan to Africa and other regions following the seizure of over 22 million Tramadol 225 mg tablets and 700 Tramadol 250 mg capsules by customs authorities in Karachi.
Officials believe this was one of the largest drug seizures in the history of Pakistan and the region although huge quantities of high-dosage opioid drug are being seized in Karachi and coastal belt of Sindh for the last several years.
Addressing a press conference at the Customs House on Tuesday, Collector Customs (Enforcement) Moinuddin Wani revealed that the authorities raided a warehouse on the night of February 20 after receiving intelligence report about the presence of prohibited Indian-manufactured medicines.
The confiscated drugs, identified as Tramadol in seven different variants, are used as pain relievers but contain opioid properties, making them highly addictive. Many countries have classified Tramadol as a controlled substance, and Pakistan is also considering similar regulations to curb its misuse.
Officials estimate the seized drugs to be worth between Rs. 5 to 10 billion. Several arrests have been made, and investigations are ongoing to trace the origins and routes of this smuggling network.
Initial tests conducted by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) confirmed that the confiscated substances were indeed Tramadol. Authorities suspect the active ingredients were not sourced locally, indicating that the drugs were smuggled into Pakistan before being repackaged for export. Investigators believe multiple air shipments were used to transport the contraband.
In a related incident a few months back, the Sindh Excise and Taxation Department had intercepted millions of Tramadol 225 mg tablets by stopping a truck near Bin Qasim. These tablets, labelled with an Indian brand name, were later found to be counterfeit as they lacked essential details regarding the manufacturer and the country of origin.
Officials investigating the case suspect that local manufacturers may be producing the high-dosage Tramadol under the guise of well-known Indian brands and smuggling them to Nigeria, the Middle East, and other regions.
Pakistani regulations only allow the production of Tramadol in 50 mg and 100 mg dosages for domestic use, raising concerns about unauthorised manufacturing for illegal exports.
Drap officials are verifying whether the seized medicines were registered for export. However, a lack of coordination between law enforcement agencies and Drap has hindered decisive action against the smugglers.
Despite multiple seizures in Pakistan and abroad, authorities have yet to identify those responsible for producing and exporting these illicit drugs. The ongoing smuggling operations have tarnished Pakistan’s reputation, drawing comparisons to similar issues faced by India.
The smuggling of high-dosage Tramadol tablets from Pakistan to Nigeria has become a serious concern for international drug enforcement agencies.
Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted multiple shipments of these opioids at major entry points, including the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
In October 2022, NDLEA officials seized over 2.4 million Tramadol tablets, weighing approximately 2,356 kg and valued at around ?1.04 billion, upon arrival from Karachi.
In December 2022, another shipment containing over 1.7 million opioid tablets was confiscated. In January 2024, authorities intercepted nearly 600,000 Tramadol pills weighing 385.40 kg, which were part of an overstayed cargo from Pakistan.
Investigations suggest that sophisticated international drug cartels are behind these smuggling operations. They exploit established trade routes and employ various concealment methods to transport large quantities of Tramadol from Pakistan to Nigeria.
The 225 mg and 250 mg Tramadol tablets are especially targeted as they are not approved for medical use in Nigeria, making them a highly sought-after black-market drug.
The availability of unregulated, high-dose Tramadol tablets pose serious health risks, including addiction, respiratory complications, and potential fatalities. Additionally, the illegal trade in these opioids is believed to be financing terrorist organisations.
